Tonia Mishiali wraps the shoot for Pause

by Vassilis Economou

27/03/2017 - The Cypriot director is taking her first step into the world of feature films with Pause, which has already entered post-production

An image from the shoot for Pause

Cypriot director and Berlinale Talents alumna Tonia Mishiali is taking her first step into the world of feature films with her debut, Pause[+see also: film reviewtrailerinterview: Tonia Mishialifilm profile], which has just wrapped shooting, while post-production has already started. The film is a drama about human relationships and daily life with a pinch of black humour, and was shot entirely on the island of Cyprus.

Pause deals with the theme of decadent relationships in an oppressive marriage as it follows Elpida (Stella Fyrogeni), who faces new challenges in her life as both her body and her state of mind change. Her perception of life is now completely altered as fantasy blurs into reality, forcing her to confront her wishes and her needs. Everything is viewed through the lens of the complexity of female nature, set against a backdrop of unquenchable desires, everyday obstacles and time. The titular pause could potentially mark a new start for the heroine.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Mishiali, who co-wrote the script with Anna Fotiadou in 2014, started the development of her project in 2015 – under the working title Menopause – by taking part in two co-production workshops in Germany, the Mannheim Meeting Place of the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival and Connecting Cottbus at the Cottbus International Film Festival. The director has already participated in major film festivals with her previous shorts: Dead End (2013) had its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival and won the Silver Dionysus at the Short Film Festival in Drama, while Lullaby of the Butterfly (2014) premiered at the Sarajevo Film Festival and was awarded at the International Short Film Festival of Cyprus.

About us

Cineuropa is the first European portal dedicated to cinema and audiovisual in 4 languages. With daily news, interviews, data bases, in-depth investigations into the audiovisual industry, Cineuropa aims at promoting the European film industry throughout the world. Welcome to a platform where professionals can meet and exchange information and ideas.